Anti-obesity flow controller

Abstract

The anti-obesity flow controller includes a tubular structure which is sized to fit within a duodenum in substantially coaxial relation therewith. The anti-obesity flow controller includes a transport structure which is connected to the tubular structure. The tubular structure is secured within the duodenum such that the transport structure provides a conduit for the digestive fluid to flow from the papilla of Vater to the distal end of the tubular structure. The tubular structure is further secured within the duodenum such that the proximal end of the tubular structure communicates with the pylorus to provide for the chyme therefrom to flow into the lumen of the tubular structure. A controller structure is connected to the inner surface of the tubular structure to change the velocity of the chyme which flows within the lumen from the proximal to distal ends.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to anti-obesity flow controllers and methods for using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to anti-obesity flow controllers which are secured in the duodenum adjacent to the stomach to reduce digestion and absorption of food.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The incidence of obesity and its associated health-related problems has become significant. The causes of obesity involve a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, psycho-behavioral, endocrine, metabolic, cultural, and socio-economic factors. Severe obesity is frequently associated with significant comorbid medical conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, gallstones, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea. Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. The spectrum of comorbid conditions associated with obesity includes cancer, osteoarthritis, an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The anti-obesity flow controller, when secured in the proper location within the duodenum, reduces or prevents mixing of the chyme and digestive fluid within the duodenum. The digestive fluid within the duodenum includes biliary and pancreatic juices which reach the interior of the duodenum by flowing through the papilla of Vater which is contiguous with the inner surface of the duodenum. The digestive fluid is supplied to the papilla of Vater by the bile and pancreatic ducts. The anti-obesity flow controller reduces or prevents mixing of the chyme and digestive fluid by reducing or preventing the digestive fluid which flows through the papilla of Vater from passing through the tubular structure. Consequently, mixing of the digestive fluid with the chyme in the region of the duodenum which is occupied by the anti-obesity flow controller is reduced or prevented. This reduces the exposure of the chyme to the digestive fluid which reduces the associated chemical breakdown thereof. This is a result of the tubular structure being semi-permeable or impervious to the chyme. The reduction in the mixing of the chyme and digestive fluid provided by the anti-obesity flow controller reduces the caloric intake by the patient. Also, this reduction in the mixing reduces the breakdown of fats because the bile is separated from the chyme over the axial length of the anti-obesity flow controller. Consequently, the chemical transformation of the chyme by the digestive fluid which is normally required for absorption of the nutrients, fats and other substances in the chyme by the duodenum is reduced.

[0009]Additionally, the anti-obesity flow controller reduces the absorption of the nutrients, fats and other substances in the chyme by the duodenum. This reduced absorption results from the tubular structure being semi-permeable or impervious to the chyme. As a result, the chyme which is contained within the tubular structure is partially or completely prevented from reaching the inner surface of the portion of the duodenum in which the anti-obesity flow controller is located. Consequently, the portion of the duodenum in which the anti-obesity flow controller is located is partially or completely prevented from absorbing the nutrients, fats and other substances in the chyme. Reducing the absorption of the nutrients, fats and other substances by the duodenum reduces the caloric intake by the patient. Also, reducing the absorption of the nutrients, fats and other substances reduces the fat intake by the patient which typically reduces the weight thereof.

[0010]The anti-obesity flow controller separates the food and chyme, which flows from the stomach into the duodenum, from the digestive fluid which includes bile acids and pancreatic enzymes and which promotes lipid absorption. This separation by the anti-obesity flow controller is provided at the location thereof in the duodenum which is the beginning of the small intestine. The anti-obesity flow controller treats obesity using a mal-absorptive method. Separating the food from the digestive fluid may reduce the amount of digestion and, consequently, the amount of weight a person gains from eating a specific quantity of food.

[0011]The anti-obesity flow controller reduces or prevents mixing of the chyme and digestive fluid by changing the velocity of the chyme which flows within the lumen. This causes the chyme and digestive fluid to reach the distal end of the tubular structure at different times since the digestive fluid normally enters the duodenum through the papilla of Vater at generally the time during which the chyme flows past the papilla of Vater. Consequently, the mixing of the chyme and digestive fluid is prevented or reduced since either the chyme or digestive fluid is downstream of the distal end when the other arrives thereat, depending upon whether the velocity of the chyme is increased or decreased. For example, increasing the velocity of the chyme results in the chyme being downstream of the distal end when the digestive fluid arrives thereat. Alternatively, decreasing the velocity of the chyme results in the digestive fluid being downstream of the distal end when the chyme arrives thereat. The longitudinal gap between the chyme and digestive fluid during the respective arrivals thereof at the distal end reduces or prevents mixing thereof downstream of the distal end within the duodenum.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, the anti-obesity flow controller reduces the absorption of the nutrients, fats and other substances in the chyme by the duodenum.

Also, reducing the absorption of the nutrients, fats and other substances reduces the fat intake by the patient which typically reduces the weight thereof.

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